Previous Questions and Answers
When going soul winning
and leaving Gospel tracts for those that are not at home to answer the door to share the
Gospel in person, what is the Bible way to handle apostate literature that is already
placed in the door, e.g., Jehovah Witness or Mormon tracts? Remove the apostate
tracts or put the Gospel tracts on top of the apostate tracts?
We hate the false doctrine in that Mormon or Jehovah's Witness
literature, but the fact remains that we are standing on someone else's property, and that
literature that was placed at their door is now their property - not ours. Some homes now
have very small security cameras that are motion activated. How would it look to the
homeowner if they had us on tape coming up to their door and removing some papers, and
then substituting our own? They may not press charges against us, but they would probably
call the church and tell the preacher to never have anyone call on their home again from
our church.
The principles applying to this situation are: Exodus 20:15, "Thou shalt not steal," and Romans 12:21, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
The bottom line is that people are faced with truth and lies constantly, and they have to make a choice. Will they see the difference between the truth in our literature and the lies in the literature of the cults? If they cannot tell the difference between the two, are they really ready to repent and choose the Lord Jesus Christ above all religions? John 10:8-9 says, "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
We know that there is life-giving power in the Word of God, but not in the literature of the cults. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 1 Peter 1:23 says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
We have some brightly colored plastic bags with a doorknob hole cut-out in the top. Those work great, when people are not home, for several reasons. First, to keep our literature dry (how many times have you come across literature at someone's door that has gotten wet, wrinkled, and faded?). Second, it allows us to leave multiple tracts and Bible Study Courses at the door, without them getting separated and blowing around the yard. Third, when there is other literature already at the door, it keeps our literature distinctly separated in the bag from the literature of the false religions.
May the Lord richly bless your labors out there!
